Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Representative deeply shocked by death of journalist Vadim Komarov in Ukraine, calls on authorities to bring perpetrators to justice
Publishing date: 20 June 2019
VIENNA, 20 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep sorrow following the death of journalist and blogger Vadim Komarov, who died last night in the hospital. He had been in a coma since suffering a violent attack on 4 May in Cherkasy, Ukraine.
6th OSCE RFoM South East Europe Media Conference concludes in Sarajevo, underlining need to support diversity and security for media in the region
Publishing date: 19 June 2019
SARAJEVO, 19 June 2019 – The 6th South East Europe Media Conference, organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), concluded today in Sarajevo. The event gathered around 200 journalists and media professionals from the region and abroad to discuss media developments, safety of journalists, the legal environment for media freedom, and sustainable solutions for public service broadcasters...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of journalist Igor Rudnikov, calls on authorities in Russia to drop all charges
Publishing date: 17 June 2019
VIENNA, 17 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed the release from custody of journalist Igor Rudnikov, the editor and founder of the Kaliningrad-based Noviye Kolyosa newspaper, and called on the authorities in the Russian Federation to drop all charges and fully acquit the journalist...
Concluding official visit to Turkey, OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on authorities to urgently reverse the course of media freedom violations
Publishing date: 14 June 2019
ISTANBUL, 14 June 2019- Concluding his four-day official visit to Turkey, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called on the Turkish authorities to urgently address and reverse current media freedom violations and pressure that journalists face.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative deplores detentions of journalists in Moscow, calls on Russian authorities to respect rights of media workers to cover demonstrations
Publishing date: 12 June 2019
VIENNA, 12 June 2019- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called on the Russian authorities to respect the rights of journalists to cover public events and release all detained media workers, following the peaceful demonstration in Moscow today.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on Moldovan authorities to ensure journalists’ safety and prevent intimidation of media
Publishing date: 12 June 2019
VIENNA, 12 June 2019 – Following reports that several journalists have been verbally assaulted and intimidated in recent days in Moldova, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called on the authorities to ensure safe working conditions for journalists...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns attack on cameraman Vadim Makaryuk in Ukraine, calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate it
Publishing date: 11 June 2019
VIENNA, 11 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned the attack on Vadim Makaryuk, a cameraman for the 24th channel and Visti.News portal, and called on the Ukrainian authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident...
Detention of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov in Russia deeply worrying says OSCE media freedom representative, calls on authorities to release him
Publishing date: 7 June 2019
VIENNA, 7 June 2019 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed serious concern regarding the detention of the investigative journalist, Ivan Golunov, in Moscow.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative raises serious concerns about banning of journalist Anna Wilk in Poland from practising profession for three years
Publishing date: 6 June 2019
VIENNA, 6 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today raised serious concerns about media freedom in Poland following a verdict of the District Court in Poznań which sentenced journalist Anna Wilk on criminal defamation charges to a three-year ban on practicing journalism and a fine totalling more than 1,500 euros. Wilk works with the Tygodnik Gazeta Powiatowa, a local newspaper in the town of Wronki.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes legal review of Austria’s draft Law on Diligence and Responsibility Online
Publishing date: 4 June 2019
VIENNA, 4 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, published today a legal review of the Austrian draft Law on Diligence and Responsibility Online. The review was officially sent on 23 May 2019 to the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka, and to the Ministry for the EU, Art, Culture and Media.